JACKSONVILLE – U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg announced Loranzia Outin, III, 48, of Middleburg, pleaded guilty to possessing two firearms as a convicted felon. Outin faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been scheduled.

According to court documents, on March 22, the Clay County Sheriff’s Office and their SWAT team executed a search warrant at Outin’s residence. During the search of Outin’s room, law enforcement officers located a 9mm pistol and a .22 caliber revolver. Outin had 10 prior felony convictions, including selling methamphetamine, possession of cocaine, and possession of a weapon or ammunition by a convicted felon. As a convicted felon, Outin is prohibited from possessing firearms under federal law.

CCSO and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brenna Falzetta is prosecuting it.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). This program brings together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence and make neighborhoods safer. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in the communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities and measuring the results.